"She is vera luvely, Roland, amaist as luvely as yer mither was at her age--be kind to her, my boy; ne'er suspect yer wife; but be sure that ye hae her heart--are ye sure o' that, Roland!" "Yes, father, she has never loved any one else, she is all my own!" "Happy son! happy Roland!" whispered Stephen, as he took his son's arm, to walk out on the piazza. As Madeline took leave of the old man, she said, "You will come again, dear sir, will you not?" "Yes, my child, this hae been a pleasant visit; ye are guid an' kind, an' I luve ye, my daughter." * * * * * * * Aunt Clara is on a visit to Woodcliff, and finds her most sanguine hopes realized in what she sees of Madeline's daily walks of usefulness, and many a time, with tearful eyes, exclaims, "What hath God wrought!" "Aunt Clara, I have been thinking a great deal about the men here; there is a very large number among the factories, and in the cottages of the fishermen. They very seldom come to our Sunday services, but waste their vacant time in lounging about idly, and in drinking what they have earned through the week. I have thought of a reading-room where we could supply good reading for the evenings, and keep them away from bad company; but I don't know how to go about it; I cannot go among men, that would not be exactly feminine, and I cannot bear all the expense myself." "Would it not be well, Madeline, first to bring the matter before some of the gentlemen of the neighborhood?" "That is exactly the way, Aunt Clara; I'll send for Roland, he shall make the speech--I'll give notice in the Sunday-school, and then I'll send notices around to the principal gentlemen, to meet at the Sunday-school room." Madeline was full of her new plan, and put it into practice immediately--notifying the Sunday-school, sending for Roland, and canvassing the neighborhood thoroughly, by means of the messengers. Ten days were allowed to prepare for the meeting; she talked about it in the Sunday-school eagerly, for the ungodliness of the men was sorely distressing to her benevolent spirit. Roland came--the evening arrived, the room was lighted early, and Madeline watched eagerly for an audience. A few strolled in, some of the mothers of the children, some of the young ladies, and a few of the children's fathers; but this was not what Madeline wanted--it was nearly eight o'clock, and but two gentlemen, one the old minister of Roland's church, the other, a gentleman somewhat interested in the morals of the neighborhood. After a while, a half dozen more came, then three or four more, until about one dozen were present; at last, quite a party of young ladies and gentlemen took their seats, and the meeting commenced. Roland had acquainted Mr. Stewart with the object of the meeting, and requested him to state it to the audience, and open the exercises with prayer. Interest had brought but few, curiosity the larger number.